Robots With Souls: ‘It’s Going To Be A Real Privilege To Be Up There Riffing’

It’s almost time for Truck 2012, so we figured we’d have a quick chat with a couple of the acts to be gracing this year’s bill. First up, we have Steve Wilson of Robots With Souls.

Hello! How’re you doing, and what’ve you been up to recently?
Hi, Im very well, thank you for asking. Recently, I have mostly been adjusting to life as a parent, as just 2 weeks ago I discovered that the bun in my wife’s oven, was actually a little boy! His name is Reuben by the way… is it obvious that I’m a bit proud of being a Dad?!

How’re you feeling about playing this year’s Truck Festival?
I probably couldn’t be more excited about playing Truck! I was honestly really flattered to be invited to play the BBC Introducing stage, so it’s going to be a real privilege to be up there riffing into everyone’s faces.

How do you go about preparing for a festival set, in comparison to a regular show?
I personally like to put more of an emphasis on the condition of my gear before a festival set. Knowing that it’s all going to hold strong gives me more confidence to play an energetic set. And, it’s only music videos and festivals that are the reasons to polish your cymbals, or to make sure drums are gleaming, right?! There is pride in playing festivals, and part of that pride is displayed in how shiny you’ve made your gear! No? Just me then.

What’re you favourite parts about playing festivals, and what do you absolutely hate?
I love being a part of something huge. Like knowing that those who watch me play in the afternoon, will later watch performances by much bigger, more professional and more successful bands too. That’s both super exciting, and terrifying (and so leads to my ‘hate about festivals’ answer), as there is no reason why any performances can’t be directly compared. Just the thought of being compared to bands who I personally really look up to is very daunting, but if that doesn’t give me the motivation to play the best I can, I’m not sure are what will.

Is there anyone you’re particularly looking forward to seeing at this year’s Truck?
Yes, of course! Im a big Future Of The Left fan, also I haven’t seen Brontide since Truck 13, so looking forward to them too. Also, watching my peers (Gunning For Tamar and Spring Offensive) proving their worth and smashing it up in the barn will be a highlight Im sure.

It’s Truck’s fifteenth birthday this year - first of all, how do you plan on making sure everyone at Truck is celebrating adequately, and secondly, do you remember how you celebrated your fifteenth birthday?
For my 15th Birthday I had diarrhoea. But to enforce adequate celebrations at Truck 15, I will do my best to keep stools stodgy. I’m not sure how I plan to do this on a wider scale than for just myself though… Maybe I could be on call to offer sympathy for those who will inevitably get ‘the runs’ over the weekend though?!

As a band from the local area, how important is a festival like Truck for the Oxford music scene? How do you think these sort of opportunities help bands?
I think Truck is really important to the local scene here in Oxford. As a city, there is always a watchful eye on new emerging bands, and an expectation to produce bands of a high standard. I believe that whilst local businesses, promoters, engineers, and musicians remain to be involved in the festival, it will continue to be a place that showcases some of those new bands from the city, and a place that celebrates the successful Oxford bands too. And it will always be a festival that draws in bands from around the world, and with that, it will always draw in crowds. With that winning combination, it is a stepping stone for small bands to get noticed, and a place for bigger bands to play to adorning fans.

What’re your plans for post-festival season?
Well nothing is set in stone just yet, but in September I will be recording a new EP with a producer I am very excited about working with. Also, I’ll be playing as far as I can get out to on tour, so look out to see if Im heading to your town, and come say hi.

Robots With Souls play the second stage on Saturday 21st July at this year’s Truck Festival.